2015 Mazda MX-5/Alfa Romeo Spider Pops to the Ring

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Joint venture will result in two very different but equally accomplished sports cars.

That Mazda and Alfa Romeo are joining forces to build sports cars that will share a rear-wheel-drive platform but wear bespoke styling and have unique powerplants. That's old news. These spy shots of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 / Alfa Romeo Spider, however, are new and while the test mule is wearing the current gen’s body, certain changes Mazda has in store for the Miata are visible. The first observation is that it will be longer and wider, with longer doors suggesting a stretched wheelbase to give occupants more space.

What appears to be an added section in front of the A-pillar demonstrates the car will adopt classic Roadster long hood, short deck proportions. Recent reports suggest the new Miata will be 220 lbs. lighter than the current model, with power coming from a new 1.3-liter turbo-four. The Alfa Romeo Spider is purported to be powered by the same 1.7-liter turbo-four running the 4C, albeit rotated through 180 degrees. The new Mazda Miata will hit the market first with the Alfa Spider to follow 6-12 months later.